Miami quarterback Kevin Olsen has reportedly been suspended for the season opener against Louisville, casting even more uncertainty on the position with the Hurricanes set to begin practice Tuesday.
The Miami Herald and WQAM Radio in Miami both report that Olsen has been suspended for a failed drug test. Miami coach Al Golden refused to comment on Olsen's status during a news conference previewing practice Monday, but said Olsen would "absolutely" be at practice when it begins.
If Olsen is indeed out for the opener, the Hurricanes would be down to their third option at quarterback. Ryan Williams, the projected starter, is rehabbing a torn ACL.
Olsen was expected to take the quarterback reins with Williams out. Now Miami may have to rely on fifth-year transfer Jake Heaps, who has been on campus for only a handful of weeks and is still working to learn the playbook.
Golden repeated that four quarterbacks remained in the mix to start -- Olsen, Heaps and freshmen Brad Kaaya and Malik Rosier. That group will be narrowed to two after the first scrimmage.
"It's going to be an interesting battle here as we kick off tomorrow," Golden told the radio station.
As for Williams, Golden said the senior would see the doctor again Tuesday. So far, Williams has had no setbacks in his rehab.
"Is he going to be a factor in this race in the next five weeks? I don't know. It's not worth speculating on," Golden said.